Automatic winder

ABSTRACT

A winding machine for yarn or thread is disclosed which senses a break in the yarn, juxtaposes the broken ends of the yarn and insures that the broken ends are properly presented to a suitable yarn defect correcting mechanism. A reciprocating suction head means draws the broken ends of the yarn into the yarn defect correcting mechanism. According to an important aspect of the invention mechanism is provided for determining that the broken yarn ends are capable of being properly fed to the yarn defect correcting mechanism.

Kai 39539933130 United States Patent inventor Emil Koller Wadenswil, Switzerland Appl. No. 840,383 Filed July 9, 1969 Patented Aug. 17, 1971 Assignec Maehlneniabrik Schweiter AG.

Horgen, Switzerland Priority July 18, 1968 Switzerland 10741/68 AUTOMATIC WINDER 13 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 242/355 R, 242/35.6 R Int. Cl B65h 54/22 Field of Search 242/35.6,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,220,758 1 1/1965 Raasch et a1 242/35.6 X 3,294,326 12/1966 Raasch 242/35 6 3,458,912 8/1969 Werffeli 242/35.6 X FOREIGN PATENTS 443,085 1/1968 Switzerland 242/35.6

Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Attorney-Werner W. Kleeman ABSTRACT: A winding machine for yarn or thread is disclosed which senses a break in the yarn. juxtaposes the broken ends of the yarn and insures that the broken ends are properly presented to a suitable yarn defect correcting mechanism. A reciprocating suction head means draws the broken ends of the yarn into the yarn defect correcting mechanism. According to an important aspect of the invention mechanism is provided for determining that the broken yarn ends are capable of being properly fed to the yarn defect correcting mechanism.

PATENTED AUG] 7 I971 SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVENTOR BYMM/M ATTORNEY-I.

PATENTED AUG] 7197:

SHEET 2 OF 2 Fig. 2

INVENTOR ATTORNEY! AUTOMATIC WINDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic yarn or thread winding machine having a plurality of locations and having an automatic mechanism, generally referred to as-an automatic yarn defect correcting mechanism, for detecting and correcting malfunctions in the winding procegl'lhedetecting and correcting mechanism can be brought into operative relation with each one of said winding locations, monitoring the winding of the thread or yarn at each of said locations and correcting malfunctions which may occur. Suchdevices normally include as part of the detection and correction unit pivotal suction heads which locate and-seize.the-ends of'the yarn or thread of the delivery bobbin and winding or talteup bobbin of a winding location and feed the endsfromtinirnormal path of travel into the yarn defect correction mechanism for joining the ends of the thread or yarn and resuming the winding operation.

A frequent defect in such automatic winders is that both yarn or thread ends are not always drawn in perfectly to the automatic yarn defect correcting mechanism from the delivery or creel bobbin or the winding bobbin, respectively, or both bobbins, following a break in the thread or otherinterruption of feed of the yarn or thread being wound-For example, one end or the other of the yarn or thread may 'be presented as a loop or snarl, or one or both ends may not be presented at all.

This type of defect is generally encountered in'known-winders of the aforementioned type at the region of the defect removal means of the yarn tending or defect correction mechanism. and specifically at a-point in the operating cycle of the correcting mechanism so far advanced thatithe repetition of the seeking and thread pickup cycle necelary to properly feed the broken thread into the correcting mechanism following an error signal from the yarn checking or sensing monitors, as well as a repetition of the actual correcting cycle necessary to join the ends-together and resume winding, subject the entire operation to a great delay in time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide an improved automatic winder which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art structures.

Another important object of this invention isto provide an automatic winding machine having means to monitor the winding process and initiate a correction cycle in the event of an error in feeding yarn or thread.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a machine further having means'to monitor the correction cycle and to make corrections within such cycle without the necessity for reinitiating such cycle from its beginning.

Now in order to overcome the drawbacks noted above present in the prior art constructions. the automatic winder of the present invention is characterized by the features of a mechanism for monitoring the yarn searching and feeding operations of the suction head, which mechanism comprises-a yarn checking device into which the ends of the yarn or thread can be inserted during a feeding or drawing-in operation of the suction heads by momentarily pivoting the yarn checking device into the draw-in or feed path of both yarns or by momentarily deflecting the drawn ends of the yarn or thread out of their normal path of travel so that they pass through 'the checking device.

In the device of this invention, the yarn or thread checking device can advantageously consist of two yarn cleanas electrically coupled with one another. each having a rewective measuring cell and a yarn cutting knife, in order to determine the proper presence of both yarns or the improper presence of more than two yarns (e.g. where a loop has formed) or the absence of one or both yarns or threads. Such a yarn checking device is shown in Swiss Pat. No. 447,899 of the same applicant as-this'invention-and issuitable for producing the necessary controlsignals in'response to yarn or thread defects.

'By'virtue ofthese measures, it isnowpossible-to intervene timely in=the= initiated process for eliminating the yam defect or disturbance is a defective ysrnsearch and suction'orfeed operatiomfirsto'f all, thereisprevented the'possibility of only one yarn'or thread or aloop reaching the'rsgion of'the correction meansof the automatic yarn defect'reraoval cor 'cmrectionmechaniarm'in that the yarns-or threads are cut off-after defects-have appeared, thus eliminating correspondingerroneous manipulations of the relevant -means and increasing the ofthe machine. Further, the control signal produced by'the yarn checking device can be-additionallyused fortriggeringa rapid return into the startingpositionofthe control shalt of the automatic yarn defect removal When compared with the normal time periodrequired 'bytthis control shalt during'the performance 'of'the full work cycle'of the automatic yarn defect correction mechanism, this would take only a fraction of the time. Moreover, asrcompared with the time heretofore'required for readying .the automatic yam defect correction mechanism after an abortive attempt, such automatic yarn defect correctionnnechan'lm is now ready for repeating its operation withina fraction ofthistirne. H

BRIEF-DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the "most advantageous method of using same will become apparent-frorn'the following-detailed description of the invention taken in :conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

J-schematically-showsza device for monitoring the yarn seeking-and yam'suction operations at an automatic winder; and

FIGJahows a'modified embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE-INVENTION The'mechanism -formonitoring the yarn defect correcting operation, and specifically "the yarn locating and suction operatiomof an automatic winder is shown 'in FIG. I. The winder being -well known in the art, only such structure thereof'isrshown asirnccesaryto an understanding of the invention. Thermonitoring-mcchanism comprises a'first suction nozle I for the-yarn or thread end 2 wound upon winding or takeup bobbimt driven by a grooved drum 3. A second suction-nozzle 5 'is'provided for yarn thread end wound upon de'liveryorcreel bobbin 7 -and is rigidly mounted as an integral :unit'wlthl'rrstnozzle I. ln this drawing, winding or windup bobbin 4 and delivery bobbin 7 represent one of :the winding locations of t'he automatic winder while suction nozzles I and 5 represent elements of the automatic correcting mechanism, not furthershown.

lnordcr'to provide for the pivoting of suction nozzles l and 5 towards winding-bobbin 4 and delivery'bobbin I-respectively, and-suction nozzle Stourds a conventional gripper hook (notahown) adjacent yarn 'or thread guide plate for the yarn-end 6, the suction nozzles-are pivotably attached to one end of a ostle-rocking lever arrangement 8 whose other end 'I'pivotably attached to the movably shaft 'of a suitable drive means Q-of the automatic yarn defect correcting mechanism. Parallel guide-is alao-pivotably-attached at one end to the noaalesandis pivotably attached at its other end to the housing of drive means 9 to form a parallel link for the purpose of maintaining-the axesofthe nozzles in a parallel orconstant orientation.

When the yarn or thread is broken or otherwise interrupted between delivering bobbin 7 and winding bobbin 4. the automatic yarn defect correcting mechanism is. in known manner. brought into operative relationship with the appropriate winding location affected and the suction nozzles l and 5 are then rocked to the left as shown in the drawings to the vicinity of bobbin 4 and guide plate 60, respectively, were the nozzles draw in broken yarn ends 2 and 6..Thereafier the nozzles reverse their direction of travel and are rocked to the right, during which'motion the yarn ends are carried along by the nozzles and are drawn into the automatic correcting mechanism whereupon said mechanism carries out the actual yarn defect correction operation, namely joining the broken ends together. V g

In order to monitor the orderly performance of the abovedescribed suction transfer operation, a yarn or thread checking installation is provided in the path of travel of both yarn ends'2 and 6 as they are carried by the nozzles. This installation determines whether both yarn ends have been correctly drawn into the nozzles or whether one or the other of the yarns or threads is missing or has been formed into a loop. This type of yarn checking installation, as described in the introduction, can consist of two yarn cleaners coupled electrically to one another, each havinga measuring cell and a thread cutting knife pursuant to the mentioned Swiss Pat. No. 447,899 of the same applicant. However, any other suitable yarn or thread checking installation can also be used. The primary factor is that the yarn checking installation be able to produce a control signal upon the occurrence of a yarn defect, said control signal as described above, being able to influence the initiated correction of the disturbance.

The yarn checking installation 10 is suitably mounted rigidly upon the frame of the automatic yarn defect correction mechanism (not shown in greater detail), that is to say, in the proximity of the yarn or thread guide plate 60 between the latter and the suction nozzles l and 5, the latter being in yarn draw-in position as shown, with both insert slots H for the yarns 2 and 6 being located below the draw-in path of the yarns. For the purpose of checking the yarns, the latter are briefly placed into the measuring slots 11 of such yarn checking installation in dependency upon the drawing-in motion of the suction nozzles l and 5. A yarn or thread slider 12 is provided for this purpose. This yarn slider 12 has the shape of a lever whose one end is mounted rotatably upon a stationary shaft 13. The free end of the yarn slider 12 has two notches [8 which, as said slider 12 tilts downwardly, takeup yarn ends 2 and 6 extending in the drawing-in direction and guide them into the measuring slots H, as shown by the phantom or broken lines. In order to control slider 12, the latter is connected with a control pin 15 biased by spring 14, said control pin 15 contacting the control surface of a cam disc 16. The mentioned cam disc 16, in turn, is rotatably connected with drive means 9 of the nozzle installation. The aforedescribed means for inserting the yarn or thread ends 2 and 6 into measuring slots l! of the yarn or thread checking installation 10 in dependency upon the drawing-in motion of the suction noz zles l and 5 are relatively simple in construction and can be mounted on existing machines as a supplement thereto, or at a later stage without difficulty.

It is, of course. also possible to provide the yarn checking installation 10 above the drawing-in path of the yarn or thread ends and to lift the thread briefly for inserting the latter into the measuring slots in which case the yarn or thread slider l2 would then act upon the yarn ends from the bottom.

Instead of the movable .yarn slider 12, the yarn checking in stallation [0 can itself-be constructed so as to be movable and can be controlled similarly to the above-described yarn slider.

A modified embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2. Here the thread ends 2 and 6 are deflected momentarily from the drawing-in path of travel by briefly tipping nozzles I and 5, thereby placing them into slots 11 of the stationary yarn checking installation 10 as shown by the broken lines in FIG. 2.

In order to let nozzles l and 5 tip in dependency upon their drawing-in motion. nozzle guide or pivotable lever means 8 which is under the. action of the spring finds support with its free end at the control surface of a rotatable control disc 2! attached to the rotating or oscillating shafi of drive means 9. The control disc 21 is equipped with a notch or indentation 22 which corresponds in depth to the desired degree of lowering tifyarn or thread ends 2 and 6 This modified embodiment is also simple in its conception, malfunction proof and can be mountedfon existing machines without difficulty. As can easily be seen from what is described above, it is now possible with the aforedescribed installation to check quickly prior to drawing the yarn or thread ends into the automatic yarn defect correction installation as to whether or not both yarn or thread ends have been correctly taken up by the nozzles. If they have not been taken up correctly, suitable signal evaluation at the yarn checking installation enables timely intervention in the initiated correction process in order to prevent further defects and losses in time. g

It should be apparent from the foregoing detailed description, that the objects set forth at the outset to the specification have been successfully achieved.

I claim:

1. In an automatic winder having a plurality of winding locations and an automatic yarn defect correction device which can be brought into operable relationship with each one of these winding locations, supervising the latter and eliminating yarn defects therefrom, said automatic yarn defect correction device comprising pivotable suction nozzle means for locating, taking up and drawing in the respective yarn ends of a delivery bobbin and winding bobbin of a winding location out of the normal path of travel of the yarn and into said automatic yarn defect correction device, the improvement comprising means for monitoring the yarn locating and suction operation and prior to further processing of the yarn to correct the yarn defect which incorporates a yarn checking installation located adjacent said normal draw-in path of travel of the yarn ends for insertably receiving said yarn ends in dependency upon the drawing-in motion of said suction nozzle means to check the seizure of said yarn ends by said suction nozzle means, and means disposed at the zone of the draw-in path of travel of the yarn ends into the automatic yarn defect correction device for momentarily deflecting said yarn ends out of their normal draW-in path of travel into the automatic yarn defect correction device and into operable relationship with said yarn checking installation, insertion of said yarn ends occurring through relative movement between said yam ends and said yarn checking installation.

2. In an automatic winder as defined in claim 1, wherein said yarn checking installation incorporates mechanism for the determination of the orderly presence of both yarn ends, the presence of more than two yarns, or the absence of one or both of the yarn ends.

3. In an automatic winder having a plurality of winding locations and an automatic yarn defect correction device which can be brought into operable relationship with each one of these winding locations, supervising the latter and eliminating yarn defects therefrom. said automatic yarn defect correction device comprising pivotable suction nozzle means for locating, taking up and drawing in the respective yarn ends of a delivery bobbin and winding bobbin ofa winding location out of the non-nal path of travel of the yarn and into said automatic yarn defect correction device, the improvement comprising means for monitoring the yarn locating and suction operation which incorporates a yarn checking installation for insertably receiving said yarn ends in dependency upon the drawing-in motion of said suction nozzle means, insertion of said yarn ends occurring through relative movement between said yarn ends and said yarn checking installation, said yarn checking installation being stationarily mounted in the zone of the drawing-in path of travel of the yarn ends below the same, and yarn slider means for inserting said yarn ends into said yarn checking installation, control means for said suction nozzle means, said control means including rotatably connected cam means, said yarn slider means having a control lever in operative connection with said cam means.

4. In an automatic winder having a plurality of winding locations and an automatic yarn defect correction device which can be brought into operable relationship with each one of these winding locations. supervising the latter and eliminating yarn defects therefrom. said automatic yam defect correction device comprising pivotable suction nozzle means for locating, taking up and drawing in the respective yarn ends of a delivery bobbin and winding bobbin of a winding location out of the normal path of travel of the yarn and into said automatic yarn defect correction device, the improvement comprising means for monitoring the yarn locating and suction operation which incorporates a yarn checking installation for insertably receiving said yarn ends in dependency upon the drawing-in motion of said suction nozzle means, insertion of said yarn ends occurring through relative movement between said yarn ends and said yarn checking installatiomsaid yarn checking installation being statioriarily mounted in the zone of the drawing-in path of travel of said yarn ends and below the same, control means cooperating with said suction noule means for lowering and inserting said yarn ends into said yarn checking installation.

5. In an automatic winder as defined in claim 4, wherein said control means includes cam means and pivotable lever means cooperating with said cam means and suction nozzle means for pivoting the latter.

6. In an automatic winding machine for yarn having a delivery bobbin and winding bobbin, a length of yarn passing from said delivery bobbin to said winding bobbin, an automatic yarn defect correcting means responsive to a break in said yarn to initiate a correction cycle to join the ends of said yarn, the improvement comprising a pair of yarn engaging suction nonles movable between a first position and a second position, drive means for moving said nozzles between said first position and said second position, said nozzles moving from said first position to said second position upon actuation of said correction cycle to engage the broken ends of said yarn and then returning to said first position to move and guide said ends of said yarn along a predetermined path of travel in the direction towards said correcting means. and yarn checking means located adjacent said predetermined path of travel for determining the absence or presence of each yarn end thereat and for checking the seizure of the broken yarn ends by said nozzles prior to any further processing of the yarn to correct the defect, and means disposed at the zone of said predetermined path of travel of said ends of said yarn for momentarily positively deflecting such yarn ends out of said predetermined path of travel and into operable relationship with said yarn checking means,

7. An automatic winding machine for yarn according to claim 6, wherein said suction nozzles are mounted for pivotable movement between said first and second positions.

8. An automatic winding machine for yarn according to claim 6, wherein said checking means comprises a plate having a pair of insert slots therein, each of said slots receiving one of the broken ends of said yam.

9. An automatic winding machine for yarn according to claim 8, wherein said deflecting means serves to deflect each yarn end into one of each of said insert slots, said deflecting means being located at the region of the predetermined path of travel of the engaged yarn ends.

10. An automatic winding machine for yarn according to claim 9, wherein said drive means for said suction nozzles includes a cam member and wherein said means for deflecting each yarn end is actuated by said cam member.

11. An automatic winding machine for yarn according to claim 10, wherein said deflecting means comprises a rotatable slider lever having a pair of notches in one edge thereof, each of said notches engaging one of said broken ends of said yarn, said lever being pivotable across the predetermined path of travel of said yarn ends to engage said ends and insert the same within the slots in said checking means.

12. An automatic winding machine for yarn according to claim 10, wherein said means for deflecting said yarn comprises a pivotable nozzle guide to rotate said nozzles to shift said ends of said yarn and insert said ends within said slots of said checking means.

13. An automatic winding machine for yarn according to claim 10, further including a parallel linkage connecting said drive means to said nozzles to malntam the direction of the axes of said nozzles constant. 

1. In an automatic winder having a plurality of winding locations and an automatic yarn defect correction device which can be brought into operable relationship with each one of these winding locations, supervising the latter and eliminating yarn defects therefrom, said automatic yarn defect correction device comprising pivotable suction nozzle means for locating, taking up and drawing in the respective yarn ends of a delivery bobbin and winding bobbin of a winding location out of the normal path of travel of the yarn and into said automatic yarn defect correction device, the improvement comprising means for monitoring the yarn locating and suction operation and prior to further processing of the yarn to correct the yarn defect which incorporates a yarn checking installation located adjacent said normal draw-in path of travel of the yarn ends for insertably receiving said yarn ends in dependency upon the drawing-in motion of said suction nozzle means to check the seizure of said yarn ends by said suction nozzle means, and means disposed at the zone of the drawin path of travel of the yarn ends into the automatic yarn defect correction device for momentarily deflecting said yarn ends out of their normal draw in path of travel into the automatic yarn defect correction device and into operable relationship with said yarn checking installation, insertion of said yarn ends occurring through relative movement between said yarn ends and said yarn checking installation.
 2. In an automatic winder as defined in claim 1, wherein said yarn checking installation incorporates mechanism for the determination of the orderly presence of both yarn ends, the presence of more than two yarns, or the absence of one or both of the yarn ends.
 3. In an automatic winder having a plurality of winding locations and an automatic yarn defect correction device which can be brought into operablE relationship with each one of these winding locations, supervising the latter and eliminating yarn defects therefrom, said automatic yarn defect correction device comprising pivotable suction nozzle means for locating, taking up and drawing in the respective yarn ends of a delivery bobbin and winding bobbin of a winding location out of the normal path of travel of the yarn and into said automatic yarn defect correction device, the improvement comprising means for monitoring the yarn locating and suction operation which incorporates a yarn checking installation for insertably receiving said yarn ends in dependency upon the drawing-in motion of said suction nozzle means, insertion of said yarn ends occurring through relative movement between said yarn ends and said yarn checking installation, said yarn checking installation being stationarily mounted in the zone of the drawing-in path of travel of the yarn ends below the same, and yarn slider means for inserting said yarn ends into said yarn checking installation, control means for said suction nozzle means, said control means including rotatably connected cam means, said yarn slider means having a control lever in operative connection with said cam means.
 4. In an automatic winder having a plurality of winding locations and an automatic yarn defect correction device which can be brought into operable relationship with each one of these winding locations, supervising the latter and eliminating yarn defects therefrom, said automatic yarn defect correction device comprising pivotable suction nozzle means for locating, taking up and drawing in the respective yarn ends of a delivery bobbin and winding bobbin of a winding location out of the normal path of travel of the yarn and into said automatic yarn defect correction device, the improvement comprising means for monitoring the yarn locating and suction operation which incorporates a yarn checking installation for insertably receiving said yarn ends in dependency upon the drawing-in motion of said suction nozzle means, insertion of said yarn ends occurring through relative movement between said yarn ends and said yarn checking installation, said yarn checking installation being stationarily mounted in the zone of the drawing-in path of travel of said yarn ends and below the same, control means cooperating with said suction nozzle means for lowering and inserting said yarn ends into said yarn checking installation.
 5. In an automatic winder as defined in claim 4, wherein said control means includes cam means and pivotable lever means cooperating with said cam means and suction nozzle means for pivoting the latter.
 6. In an automatic winding machine for yarn having a delivery bobbin and winding bobbin, a length of yarn passing from said delivery bobbin to said winding bobbin, an automatic yarn defect correcting means responsive to a break in said yarn to initiate a correction cycle to join the ends of said yarn, the improvement comprising a pair of yarn engaging suction nozzles movable between a first position and a second position, drive means for moving said nozzles between said first position and said second position, said nozzles moving from said first position to said second position upon actuation of said correction cycle to engage the broken ends of said yarn and then returning to said first position to move and guide said ends of said yarn along a predetermined path of travel in the direction towards said correcting means, and yarn checking means located adjacent said predetermined path of travel for determining the absence or presence of each yarn end thereat and for checking the seizure of the broken yarn ends by said nozzles prior to any further processing of the yarn to correct the defect, and means disposed at the zone of said predetermined path of travel of said ends of said yarn for momentarily positively deflecting such yarn ends out of said predetermined path of travel and into operable relationship with said yarn checking means.
 7. An automatic windiNg machine for yarn according to claim 6, wherein said suction nozzles are mounted for pivotable movement between said first and second positions.
 8. An automatic winding machine for yarn according to claim 6, wherein said checking means comprises a plate having a pair of insert slots therein, each of said slots receiving one of the broken ends of said yarn.
 9. An automatic winding machine for yarn according to claim 8, wherein said deflecting means serves to deflect each yarn end into one of each of said insert slots, said deflecting means being located at the region of the predetermined path of travel of the engaged yarn ends.
 10. An automatic winding machine for yarn according to claim 9, wherein said drive means for said suction nozzles includes a cam member and wherein said means for deflecting each yarn end is actuated by said cam member.
 11. An automatic winding machine for yarn according to claim 10, wherein said deflecting means comprises a rotatable slider lever having a pair of notches in one edge thereof, each of said notches engaging one of said broken ends of said yarn, said lever being pivotable across the predetermined path of travel of said yarn ends to engage said ends and insert the same within the slots in said checking means.
 12. An automatic winding machine for yarn according to claim 10, wherein said means for deflecting said yarn comprises a pivotable nozzle guide to rotate said nozzles to shift said ends of said yarn and insert said ends within said slots of said checking means.
 13. An automatic winding machine for yarn according to claim 10, further including a parallel linkage connecting said drive means to said nozzles to maintain the direction of the axes of said nozzles constant. 